Tuesday, April 5, 2011

11:19 PM

In his concession speech, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz told a crowd of chanting supporters that he called Paul Soglin to congratulate him on his win and vowed to help in the transition.

"While things did not work out for me the way I had hoped, this was a great evening for the progressive movement in Wisconsin," Cieslewicz said, noting the good showing for JoAnne Kloppenburg and Joe Parisi's win in the Dane County exec race.

"Our city faces challenges like we’ve never had before, but I do think there is great strength in this community. We are up to these challenges," he said.

"To all of you tonight from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you so much for your support and all your support over these last eight years … it has been an honor to serve as your mayor."

State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said the city has been fortunate to have Cieslewicz as its leader.

"There are many, many things to celebrate tonight," Pocan said. "One of which is this is the best city to live in the country and largely because we have had great leadership, and that has been with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz."